Bridge and Islandness: The Case of Suramadu Bridge in Indonesia

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“…The phenomenon of well-rounded change on islands and associated processes are referred to as 'islandness'. With rapid progress of globalization, modernization, and urbanization, the concept of self-sustaining and traditional islands and boundaries of seascapes are being dismantled (Deidun, 2010;Kakazu, 2012;Hong, 2022b). The concept of "isolation" is weakening and the concept of "insularity" disappearing gradually.…”

“…While it may vary depending on the region and environment, the application of terms of resilience or vulnerability to an island might have originated from the perspective of the land to maintain changing boundaries (Hong 2022a). To overcome the vulnerability of an island and increase its resilience, it is Journal of Marine and Island Cultures, v12n3 -Hong essential to consider the relationship between the island's form and islandness (Deidun, 2010;Hong, 2022b). It is undeniable that humans and nature interdependently interact and supplement one another within the ecosystem.…”

“…Alfred Russel Wallace, an island biogeographer, has discovered distinctive characteristics in the form and distribution of organisms between islands and proposed the Wallace's Line (Whitmore, 1982), which runs through Bali, Lombok, and Sulawesi in Indonesia (Ali and Heaney, 2022;Hong, 2022b). The classi cation of islands varies greatly in terms of their spatial relationship within the seascape, including islands that are close or far from land, as well as islands that are high or low in altitude.…”

“…Recently, the construction connecting land to an island or island to island, as well as the increasing frequency of socioeconomic exchanges between the land and the island, have led to the dilution of traditional concepts regarding physical perceptions of islands that were long prevalent in the past (Tsai, 2003;Park, 2022). The reduction of physical distance between land and an island exhibits more characteristics of 'islandness', which encompasses both 'landness' and 'insularity', than the distinct trait of insularity alone in an island (Hong, 2022b). This study will examine concepts of islands such as 'inner and outer island', 'islands high or low in altitude', and 'islands close or far from land' to see what relationship exists in the seascape and topography and their implications.…”

“…However, it actively accepted the advanced culture of Java Island such as rice paddy farming to make the island not only rich, but also to serve as an active trade hub during the East India Company era. Recent construction of a landing bridge between Pulau Madura and Surabaya, the second capital city, has resulted in an increase in the number of tourists, thereby altering the cultural identity of multiple islands (Hong, 2022b). As an island's method of transportation changes, so does the existing way of life on the island (Kakazu, 2012).…”